Knock Shrine Day Trip from Galway
Galway, Ireland
About This Activity
Knock Shrine in County Mayo is Ireland's most important Catholic pilgrimage site, designated a national shrine by Pope John Paul II who visited in 1979. On the evening of 21 August 1879, fifteen villagers reported seeing an apparition of Our Lady, St. Joseph, and St. John the Evangelist against the south gable of the parish church — that gable now stands within the enclosed Apparition Chapel, drawing 1.5 million visitors annually. The complex includes the Basilica of Our Lady, Queen of Ireland (one of Ireland's largest churches, seating 20,000 outdoors) and a folk museum. Bus Éireann runs several services from Galway Ceannt Station (1.5 hours, around €18 return); the shrine is free to enter.
Seasonal note: Year-round; August 21 anniversary and national novena (14–22 Aug) draw largest crowds
See This in an Itinerary
This activity appears in 10 of our curated itineraries.
Best 5 Days in Ireland — Temples & Shrines
Dublin → Galway → Killarney
Best 5 Days in Ireland — Pilgrimage
Dublin → Galway → Killarney
Best 7 Days in Ireland — Temples & Shrines
Dublin → Galway → Killarney → Cork → Dingle
Best 7 Days in Ireland — Pilgrimage
Dublin → Galway → Killarney → Cork → Dingle
Best 10 Days in Ireland — Temples & Shrines
Dublin → Galway → Killarney → Cork → Dingle → Belfast
Best 10 Days in Ireland — Pilgrimage
Dublin → Galway → Killarney → Cork → Dingle → Belfast
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